Monmouth Leisure Centre

The leisure centre sits right on Monmouth's doorstep, a proper modern facility that punches above its weight for a market town. Inside you'll find a swimming pool that actually feels maintained, a gym with decent equipment, and a sports hall that hosts everything from badminton to basketball. The changing facilities are clean and the staff know what they're doing - no hanging about waiting for someone to unlock a cubicle.

It's a solid choice if you're camping at Trippenkennett Farm, five miles away near Coleford, and the kids have had their fill of countryside walks. A wet afternoon here beats fighting rain on the River Wye. The pool is the main draw - not Olympic-sized, but good enough for proper swimming rather than splashing about. Adults after a workout will find the gym worthwhile, though you might want to check locally if day passes are available or if membership is required.

Allow two to three hours if you're doing pool and gym. Check ahead for opening hours and admission prices - these smaller leisure centres can be picky about day visitors. It's not a destination in itself, but as part of a Monmouth-based holiday, pairing it with the town's castle and riverside walks, it fills gaps when weather turns. Best visited mid-week if you want calm lanes and fewer school groups.